US5161935A - Trailer load shifting device - Google Patents
Trailer load shifting device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US5161935A US5161935A US07/691,776 US69177691A US5161935A US 5161935 A US5161935 A US 5161935A US 69177691 A US69177691 A US 69177691A US 5161935 A US5161935 A US 5161935A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- trailer
- framework
- carriers
- flanges
- lateral channel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D53/00—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains
- B62D53/04—Tractor-trailer combinations; Road trains comprising a vehicle carrying an essential part of the other vehicle's load by having supporting means for the front or rear part of the other vehicle
- B62D53/06—Semi-trailers
- B62D53/068—Semi-trailers having devices to equalise or modify the load between the fifth wheel and the rear wheels
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a device which is adapted to be weighted, which is movable along the length of a platform such as a semi-trailer to shift the weight in the fore-and-aft direction therealong, and which can be locked to the trailer at any chosen point.
- trailers having shiftable weights are used to progressively increase the load on a pulling tractor, such as those used in agricultural tractor pulling contests.
- a more specific object of the invention is to provide a load shifting device including retractable wheeled carriers for moving the device along frame members of the trailer, an air bag actuation system for the wheeled carriers, and means for locking the device at a predetermined locations along the length of the trailer.
- a trailer load shift device having a framework to which weights are engageable.
- the framework incorporates wheeled carriers which are retractable and extendable by actuation of air bags positioned between the framework and the carriers.
- the wheeled carriers When the wheeled carriers are retracted, the framework of the device rests upon frame members of the trailer and is locked to the trailer frame by means of removable pins.
- the pins When the pins have been removed, the air bags are filled, extending the wheeled carriers beyond a lower edge of the framework and simultaneously raising the framework off the trailer frame members. Then, upon light snubbing of the brakes of a vehicle to which the trailer is engaged, with the vehicle in the appropriate gear, the device may be shifted fore-or-aft along the length of the trailer as desired.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a semi-trailer showing one trailer load shifting device of the present invention mounted thereon.
- FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the trailer load shifting device of the present invention.
- a trailer load shift device 10 of the present invention which engages upon and rides along the top of I-beam rails 12 secured to a flatbed trailer 14.
- a plurality of such devices 10 may be placed upon a single trailer 14. This may be useful in a cargo carrying application to provide a more equal distribution of a load over the tractor and trailer axles.
- the device 10 is further adapted to be fixed to the trailer 14 by means of side flanges 16 having openings 18 therein which align with openings (not shown) in outer frame rails 20 of the trailer 14, the openings being adapted to receive pins 19 therein for securing the device 10 at a chosen position along the length of the trailer 14.
- the device 10 is capable of riding along the I-beams 12 from one end 21 of the trailer 14 to the other end 22, and, to assure that the device 10 does not fall from either end 21, 22 of the trailer 14, stops 24 are provided thereat as well as bulkhead stops 25 provided at each corner of the trailer 14 which engage the side flanges 16.
- the device 10 incorporates a framework 26 which is vertically movable relative to the trailer 14, as well as horizontally movable therealong. Upon upward motion of the framework 26, trailer support pads 28 thereof are disengaged from contact with the trailer I-beam rails 12 by actuating means 29 while wheeled carriers 30 are maintained in contact with the I-beam rails 12 to allow the device 10 to be shifted horizontally along the length of the trailer 14. Once appropriately positioned, the actuating means 29 are deactuated and the framework 26 lowers, seating the trailer support pads 28 thereof back onto the I-beam rails 12, with the wheeled carriers 30 sitting idly along the rails 12 between the support members 28.
- the frame structure 26, as shown, is comprised of channel beams and further includes upper support members 32 which are adapted to engage and support weights 34 mounted thereon as desired to produce a required load on a semitractor (not shown) to which the trailer 14 is attached, such as for testing of a brake system (not shown) of the tractor.
- Each weight 34 is approximately 1000 pounds comprises a metal slab 34 having feet 62 on a bottom surface 64 thereof and corresponding grooves 66 in an upper surface 68 thereof for compact, secure stacking of the weights 34.
- bolts may be extended through bores 35 in the weights 34 aligned with bores 36 in the upper support members 32.
- FIG. 2 an enlarged cross section of the device 10 at a point of engagement to one I beam rail 12 of the trailer 14 offers a more thorough understanding of the device 10.
- the framework 26 is formed of channel beams which are preferably made of tempered steel and includes two upstanding lateral members 40, the channel 41 of each being outwardly directed and having lower and upper flanges which form the support pads 28 and members 32, respectively.
- a horizontal channel beam cross piece 42 is secured between the lateral members 40 in a position overlying each I-beam rail 12 of the trailer 14, the channel beam cross piece 42 opening downwardly to receive the top surface 46 of an air bag 48 seated therewithin and extending downwardly therefrom.
- Suitable valving (not shown) is provided for inflating and deflating the air bag, preferably using the compressed air supply (not shown) commonly available on highway tractors.
- the air bag 48 forms the actuating means 29 for the extending the wheeled carriers 30 in the embodiment shown.
- wheeled carrier 30 Beneath the air bag 48 and dependingly engaged to each horizontal cross piece 42 is one wheeled carrier 30 which comprises a downwardly opening channel beam 49 which faces has steel wheels or rollers 50 mounted therein and extending downwardly therefrom.
- Each wheeled carrier 30 is engaged to the its respective horizontal cross piece 42 by means of long bolts 52 extending downwardly from the cross piece 42 through a top surface 54 of channel beam 49 of the wheeled carrier 30 and is fixed thereto by positioning nuts 56 which limit the upward range of motion of the horizontal cross piece 42 relative to the wheeled carrier 30. This upward range is such that the wheels 50 may be extended to a position below the trailer support pads 28.
- a stop member 60 is provided at a chosen position along the length of each bolt 52 which provides a distance of downward motion of the frame 26 relative to the wheeled carrier 30 which allows the trailer support pads 28 to seat against the I-beam rail 12 with the wheels 50 resting on the rail 12.
- the device 10 is loaded onto the trailer 14 by means of a forklift or the like, weighted appropriately, and then rolled to a desired position.
- the air bags 48 are simultaneously inflated to lift of the trailer support members 28 of the frame structure 26 off the I beam rails 12 of the trailer 14 until only the wheels 50 of the wheeled carriers 30 are seated against the I-beam rails 12.
- the device 10 then can be moved to the desired location along the length of the trailer 14. This may be accomplished by using a winching device or, if the trailer is connected to a tractor, by slowly moving the tractor in the desired direction and snubbing the brakes lightly to move the device by its inertia.
- each air bag 48 is deflated, allowing a settling of the frame structure 26 until the support pads 28 seat against the I-beam rails 12 once again.
- pins are set through the flange and side rails 20 to secure the device 10 in position to prevent undesired shifting of the device 10 upon severe braking of the tractor as during testing.
- the air bags 48 Prior to disengagement of the trailer 14 from a tractor, the air bags 48 are again inflated and the device 10 is moved rearwardly to a position over a rear axle 75 of the trailer 14 so that the trailer 14 does not nosedive when the tractor is disengaged therefrom, the device 10 acting as a counterweight to make disengagement easier.
- a single air bag 48 having a weight capacity of between 15 and 20 thousand pounds is provided for each wheeled carrier 30. If it were required to lift a load significantly greater than the capacity the single air bag 48 can provide, multiple air bags 48 could be utilized to increase the capacity.
- the trailer load shifting device of the present invention has a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent in the invention. Also modifications can be proposed to the device without departing from the teachings herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (8)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/691,776 US5161935A (en) | 1991-04-26 | 1991-04-26 | Trailer load shifting device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US07/691,776 US5161935A (en) | 1991-04-26 | 1991-04-26 | Trailer load shifting device |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US5161935A true US5161935A (en) | 1992-11-10 |
Family
ID=24777928
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US07/691,776 Expired - Fee Related US5161935A (en) | 1991-04-26 | 1991-04-26 | Trailer load shifting device |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5161935A (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5357882A (en) * | 1993-02-24 | 1994-10-25 | Lemmons C Harold | Sugar cane planter |
US20030222447A1 (en) * | 2002-05-30 | 2003-12-04 | Powell Matthew E. | Stabilizing weight assemblies for tractors |
US7416378B1 (en) * | 2006-09-12 | 2008-08-26 | Adams Bill J | Load lift control system |
US20110071736A1 (en) * | 2009-09-22 | 2011-03-24 | International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc | Slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly for a vehicle and control system for the same |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USRE23704E (en) * | 1950-12-14 | 1953-09-01 | Load equalizing device | |
US3019930A (en) * | 1960-06-23 | 1962-02-06 | Stanray Corp | Fork lift unit |
US3829116A (en) * | 1972-10-24 | 1974-08-13 | Rolair Syst Inc | Retractable guide mechanism |
US3884158A (en) * | 1973-10-29 | 1975-05-20 | James A Rumell | Railroad car with hydraulically actuated turntable |
USRE30191E (en) * | 1971-08-27 | 1980-01-15 | Loading container means | |
US4409903A (en) * | 1978-10-24 | 1983-10-18 | Wilhelmsson Tore C | Transportation apparatus |
US4995774A (en) * | 1989-04-25 | 1991-02-26 | Robert R. Gerzel | Side-loading fork lift vehicle |
-
1991
- 1991-04-26 US US07/691,776 patent/US5161935A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USRE23704E (en) * | 1950-12-14 | 1953-09-01 | Load equalizing device | |
US3019930A (en) * | 1960-06-23 | 1962-02-06 | Stanray Corp | Fork lift unit |
USRE30191E (en) * | 1971-08-27 | 1980-01-15 | Loading container means | |
US3829116A (en) * | 1972-10-24 | 1974-08-13 | Rolair Syst Inc | Retractable guide mechanism |
US3884158A (en) * | 1973-10-29 | 1975-05-20 | James A Rumell | Railroad car with hydraulically actuated turntable |
US4409903A (en) * | 1978-10-24 | 1983-10-18 | Wilhelmsson Tore C | Transportation apparatus |
US4995774A (en) * | 1989-04-25 | 1991-02-26 | Robert R. Gerzel | Side-loading fork lift vehicle |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5357882A (en) * | 1993-02-24 | 1994-10-25 | Lemmons C Harold | Sugar cane planter |
US20030222447A1 (en) * | 2002-05-30 | 2003-12-04 | Powell Matthew E. | Stabilizing weight assemblies for tractors |
US6880854B2 (en) * | 2002-05-30 | 2005-04-19 | Deere & Company | Stabilizing weight assemblies for tractors |
US7416378B1 (en) * | 2006-09-12 | 2008-08-26 | Adams Bill J | Load lift control system |
US20110071736A1 (en) * | 2009-09-22 | 2011-03-24 | International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc | Slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly for a vehicle and control system for the same |
US20110068557A1 (en) * | 2009-09-22 | 2011-03-24 | International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc | Slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly for a vehicle and control system for the same |
US20110156368A1 (en) * | 2009-09-22 | 2011-06-30 | Andrea Brown | Slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly for a vehicle and control system for the same |
US8333399B2 (en) | 2009-09-22 | 2012-12-18 | International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc | Slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly for a vehicle and control system for the same |
US8348297B2 (en) | 2009-09-22 | 2013-01-08 | International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc | Slidably adjustable fifth wheel hitch assembly for a vehicle and control system for the same |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: NAVISTAR INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION CORP. A COR Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNORS:PELZ, DAVID L.;HOUSER, MARVIN W.;WALCHLE, MARK A.;REEL/FRAME:005741/0937 Effective date: 19910425 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 19961113 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE CORPORATION CANADA, Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:012539/0833 Effective date: 20001117 Owner name: INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE CORPORATION, ILLINO Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:NAVISTAR INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORTATION CORP.;REEL/FRAME:012569/0940 Effective date: 20000223 |
|
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |